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Tag: Orano

  • Orano is investing up to $500 million in uranium mining in Uzbekistan

    Orano is investing up to $500 million in uranium mining in Uzbekistan

    French company Orano has expressed its intention to invest up to $500 million in uranium mining and processing in Uzbekistan, as revealed by the Minister of Mining Industry and Geology, Bobir Islamov. He mentioned the existence of a strategic partnership agreement between Uzbekistan and Orano. Currently, the French company is conducting geological exploration, and by the end of this year, a preliminary technical and economic justification for the project will be prepared.

    Islamov explained that the strategic agreement includes the exploration of two additional sites in the Tamdyn district of the Navoi region. The final decision regarding these sites will depend on the results of the technical and economic analysis. However, Islamov expressed optimism about the progress of the project.

    The minister emphasized that current uranium production volumes have already secured markets. As the production of nuclear fuel increases, Uzbekistan will consider expanding its exports based on market conditions.

    “When it comes to uranium, our prices are tied to global prices. If the price rises, our delivery costs increase as well,” stated the minister.

    Islamov highlighted the growth in uranium exports to various destinations this year, underscoring the importance of diversifying supply sources. In 2022, Uzbekistan increased uranium exports to the European Union by 2.71 times, reaching 441 tons.

    During a visit to Samarkand, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Orano, in collaboration with the local joint venture Nurlikum Mining, had initiated a pilot project for uranium mining. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed his support for the expansion of geological exploration for uranium deposits with Orano.

    Prior to Macron’s visit, Bloomberg reported that his objective in visiting Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was to discuss the expansion of uranium supplies, as France considers Central Asia as an alternative to Russian nuclear fuel.

    In November 2022, the State Committee of Geology, Navoi Mining, and Orano signed a tripartite agreement to expand uranium mining and processing. Uzbekistan aims to follow the French model in the “nuclear fuel value chain.” Orano has stated its readiness to invest “several hundred million euros.”

  • Uzbekistan discloses volume of Orano’s investments in its uranium deposits operation

    Uzbekistan discloses volume of Orano’s investments in its uranium deposits operation

    TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 6. The French Orano company will invest up to $500 million in uranium mining and processing in Uzbekistan, Uzbek Minister of Mining and Geology Bobir Islamov told reporters on the sidelines of the 16th Verona Eurasian Economic Forum in Samarkand, Trend reports.

    The official noted that Orano is currently carrying out geological exploration, and a preliminary feasibility study of the project will be prepared by the end of this year.

    “The strategic agreement stipulates that two additional areas in the Tamdyn district of Uzbekistan’s Navoi region will be explored by the French company. Everything will be decided, of course, by a feasibility study, but now everything is going very positively,” Islamov said.

    The minister stressed that the existing volumes of uranium production have already found their targeted markets.

    “As the production of nuclear fuel increases, Uzbekistan will make a decision on exports based on the price situation in the world,” he added.

    Islamov also reported an increase in the volume of uranium exports in all directions in 2023, while emphasizing the importance of diversifying supplies.

     

    Meanwhile, a trilateral agreement has been signed between Uzbekistan’s State Committee for Geology and Mineral Resources, Uzbekistan’s Navoiuran state enterprise, and the French Orano in November 2022.

    The document provides for the intensification of joint work on the extraction and processing of uranium, as well as building an industrial chain for the production of nuclear fuel.

    Moreover, Nurlikum Mining, a joint venture for the exploration and production of uranium in the Navoi region, established by Orano and the State Committee for Geology, has been operating in Uzbekistan since December 2019.

    At the end of 2021, 3,526 tons of uranium were mined in Uzbekistan. In 2022–2030, production is planned to be doubled to 7,100 tons.

  • Kazakhstan may receive uranium enrichment technology from French Orano

    Kazakhstan may receive uranium enrichment technology from French Orano

    “Currently, in accordance with the instructions of the head of state, the possibilities of Kazatomprom’s participation in uranium conversion and enrichment technologies are being considered. The Orano company is one of the world leaders, possessing all the technologies, and the agreement, which was signed at the Kazatomprom level, also involves studying the possibility of Kazatomprom entering and obtaining these technologies,” Mr. Satkaliev said at the briefing.

    The Minister of Energy emphasized that Kazakhstan needs to expand its presence in the full cycle of uranium processing.

    “We have unique competencies in mining and primary processing; we are number one in the world in uranium supply and uranium export. We have operating research reactors. That is, the missing link in this cycle is the conversion and enrichment of uranium, and now the Kazatomprom company, in accordance with the instructions of the head of state, is studying the possibility of covering this cycle,” added the head of the Ministry of Energy.

    He did not specify where the final products will be sent, noting that “it depends on world market conditions.”

    Earlier it was reported that the management of the Samruk-Kazyna state fund discussed with the chief operating officer of the Orano group, Nicolas Maes, the expansion of cooperation on the Kazakh-French uranium enterprise Katko LLP. The French side voiced a proposal to expand areas of cooperation, including the implementation of joint strategic projects outside of Kazakhstan.

    Kazakh-French joint venture Katko LLP was founded in 1996, its participants are Kazatomprom and Orano Mining – the Kazakh division of the French Orano Mining, which, in turn, is part of Orano SA. Katko mines uranium using the in-situ leaching method in the northern part of the N1 (South) section and in the N2 (Tortkuduk) section of the Moyynkum deposit in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan.

    In December 2022, Kazatomprom and Orano Mining signed a memorandum of cooperation in the nuclear industry, in particular, on the further development of the Katko joint venture as part of the official visit of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to France.

    Kazatomprom, controlled by the state, is engaged in the mining of uranium, processing of rare metals, production and marketing of beryllium and tantalum products. Kazatomprom estimates its share in the global natural uranium mining market at 22% by the end of 2022. Kazakhstan annually supplies more than 45% of the world nuclear energy needs for uranium products.